Review
last reviewed on 2011-06-15

Cotton's Rhum Shack and Restaurant might have a rather small and tired shop front but step over the threshold and you're in a little piece of the Caribbean. OK, the effect is not exactly totally transporting, though the various rooms that make up the dark wood bar area and its three dining rooms are named, respectively, Jamaica, Margarita, St Lucia and Barbados, and there's a reggae soundtrack. More importantly, the back-bar groans under the weight of nearly a couple of hundred rums, many rare and some unique to the UK - a mark of the fact that since 2003 this has been the lair of Ian Burrell, London's self-styled rum ambassador.

Rum cocktails are naturally the focus of the list, many appearing with an attribution for its creator (from Jerry Thomas to more contemporary creations by Ian and friends). The atmosphere has a laid-back Caribbean vibe, so don't be surprised at the rough and ready style in which your drink is prepared, ingredients slopping here and there. That doesn't matter, as the finished drinks are pretty good and the service friendly - a reason this place has been in business since 1985.